Aces Three-peat in 2015

It's been a week since the Black Aces made history as the only team to win the COTHL championship 3 years in row, and the congratulations have been pouring in from all corners of the world (and some from beyond).

The Aces capped an up and down season with a pair of overtime wins to take the title again, with the final game being a 2-1 nailbiter against the Wyse Guys. Once again Mark L bagged the winner, this time on a partially set play between him and your humble scribe and defender. The whole team brought their 'A' game again, keeping the red team to just a few good chances  over the course of the game. Netminder and punctuality freak Kevin T made some great saves at the right time as the blackshirts rode a 1-0 lead (on a goal by Pete T) for most of the game, but could not hang on for the full 45. A late red goal sent the game to extra innings but it didn't take long for the Aces to bang one in for the win and the Three-peat.

The team email box is bursting with kudos and attaboys from fans and admirers, far too many to reproduce here.  So here is a sampling of some from a few names you might recognize.

Rosterbot

ROSTERBOT ACCEPTS THE ACES RESULTS! ALL HOCKEY UNITS PERFORMED TO SPECIFICATIONS! TERMINATION OF ACES UNITS CANCELLED!
Interview With the Rosterbot

God

Well done my children, well done. I knew you could do it. Literally I mean, I actually knew. I'm God.
God's Hockey Team

God Abandons Tim Tebow in Favour of Obscure Canadian Hockey Player

Vishnu

The playing of the extra ends was most invigorating, sirs. I congratulate you on your excellent excellence at the ice hockey contests.

God's Hockey Team

William Shatner

My friends, my... fellow Canadians, you... have achieved a level of greatness that few among us can equal. I... am, so proud of you. I'm having my personal assistant send autographed photos of me, William Shatner, to each and every one of you. Please, call me Bill.

Tom Hortons introduces new coffee to honour Aces HC

Zamboni girl

You guys are so awesome! I posted a video of you on my Tumblr. Not a hockey video, it just shows you guys hugging in the dressing room after the game, but whatever. I love you guys!

Black Aces Boyfriend

The blind monks of Sraac

Praise Braam! The mighty Aces have triumphed for the third cycle in a row! Our moon draws near and time is short for our doomed planet, but your victory fills our hearts with joy and - [end transmission]

Praise Braam!

Richard Branson

I knew I should have bought you beautiful bastards when I had the chance. Oh well, at least that little jerk Jon Bon Jovi couldn't close the deal either.

Richard Branson to Buy Aces HC
Prime Minister Blocks Sale of Aces HC

The Perimeter Institute 

Dear Aces, congratulations on your victory in the COTHL finals.
Dear Aces, Congratulations on your victory in the COTHL consolation finals.
Dear Aces, please accept our condolences on your loss in the COTHL finals.
Dear Aces, please accept our condolences on your loss in the COTHL consolation finals.
Aces Win (Just Not in This Timeline)

Rob Ford

I cannot comment on a victory that I have not seen or which does not exist. I am not the Aces coach. I have never been the Aces coach. Whatever happened between me and the Aces is all in the past now, and I think we should all just move on.

Toronto Mayor Robocalls Aces Opponents
A Letter to the Aces From Former Mayor Rob Ford
Great Leader Inspires Aces to 1-1 Victory
Warriors Call 9-1-1 on Aces

Chi Chi 'Pepe' Fernandez

Very great congratulations I am sending out to all my muey macho amigos on the Black Aces Hockey Club. Your fantastic victory was seen by dozens of viewers on el Canal de hombres y mas hombres. I would personally like to give each and every one of you a special Canal 53 embrace, which even though it is involving the wearing of no pants below the waist, is still 100% platonico.

Black Aces to be Featured on Mexican Cable TV

Pope Benedict XVI

It seems that my prayers have been answered. Since I stepped away from the Big Chair (and Hat) in 2013 to focus my earthly energies on the Aces HC, you have won 3 consecutive championships. Well done, my lambs, well done indeed. I know it's a sin but I feel pride in what we have accomplished together. My invoice is in the mail.

Pope Benedict XVI Says Farewell Church, Hello Aces

Sonseed

Congratulations and Bless You Aces!! We are just so thrilled to hear of your Godly Victory that we are going to come out of retirement and join up with UB40, Ziggy Marley, The English Beat and Rancid on their 2015 North American tour! Of course we'll be playing our big hit:



There you have it, sports fans. Another year done and dusted and the Men in Black are the class of the COTHL once again.

God's Hockey Team

FFS, I look away for one minute...

RRiiinnnng... rrriiinnnggg... “Hello?”

“Vishnu! That you?”

“Yes, this is Vishnu.”

“Vish, it’s God. How’s it going, big blue?”

“Oh, hello mister God, everything is wonderful. Thank you for asking. Most excellent to be hearing from you, sir. What I can do for you?”

“You remember that hockey game I asked you to look in on last week? The Black Aces playoff game?”

“Yes yes, I remember. A quite excellent game as I recall, very exciting! Thank you for trusting me with it while you were on your fishing trip with mister Pope.”

“Yeah, well, you don’t know much about hockey do you, V-man?”

“Well to be fair it was the first game of ice hockey that I have witnessed, yes. But I certainly enjoyed it very greatly. Why do you ask, mister God sir?”

“My boy tells me you took your eyes off the game and he had to step in and do my will for me, that’s why. The game was in overtime and you were nowhere to be found. Overtime! How did it get to overtime, Vish? I thought you were taking care of my team.”

“Ah yes, now I am remembering. I was just stepping out to create and destroy some universes and when I am returning mister Jesus was looking over the game. He had a funny look on his face, not the nice one he is usually having.”

“That’s called anger, mixed with fear. Of God. He was angry with you for messing up the assignment and afraid of what I might do if this game didn’t go the way I ordered it. You feel me, blue man? Let me ask you something. How long does a hockey game last?”

“I am thinking it is 6 hours. Giving or taking.”

“6 hours?! Are you serious? No hockey game has ever lasted 6 hours, the players would all be dead! Are you sure you’re not getting it mixed up with another sport, say one that’s really popular in, I don’t know, India?”

“I am not sure what you are getting towards, mister God sir.”

“I think you know what I mean. Hard wooden ball, flat wooden bat, rules nobody can understand... very long games.”

“Ohhhh, right, yes, heh heh. I am thinking of the cricket. You are most correct mister God sir. Crick-et. A game of ice hockey does not last 6 hours then?”

“No. No a game of ice hockey does not last 6 hours then. If my son hadn’t stepped in when he did the Aces might have lost and you my friend would owe me big time. I had a side bet with the Pope on that game and let’s just say I now own half the Vatican.”

“I am most terribly sorry mister God sir. Please accept my apologies, and please accept a complimentary universe which I have just created for you. Perhaps you can store it at the Vatican.”

“All right then, no harm done. Look, I gotta go. Westboro Baptist Church is trying to stage another protest against Leonard Nimoy and I promised him I’d smite them. Say hi to Shiva for me.”

I am liking the hockey!

Game details

Aces 3, Battlers 2 (OT)
Mark: 2 goals
Joe D: 1 goal

A fast and hard fought game, but the right team came out on top in the end. Special thanks to John for handling goal duties while Kevin finished his pre-game beer in the dressing room. Really,  a big game from everyone and a solid team effort.

Next game is the final, and the Black Aces are going for the cup for the 3rd year in row. Which they will win. God willing.